Time is a significant theme within the film as the pratagonist, Lola is on a game like mission to save her boyfriend, introducing the idea of game theory. This is clearly reflected through the same use of animation where Lola is given three chances to succeed in her mission. The use of multiple distinctively visual features throughout the film successfully create an exceptional viewing experience. The most significant idea conveyed throughout 'Run Lola Run' is that of time. Time is eminent from the opening sequence where the viewer observes the large clock swinging loudly from side to side.
‘Run Lola Run’ by Tom Tykwer is all about fate, communicating that time is an important player in one’s life and shapes their destiny. The opening sequence begins with the sound of a clock ticking, showing from the beginning that time is central to the film. The camera then pans up to reveal a clock with a low angle shot, which then indicates to the audience they are defenceless against time. Then later proceeds to show Lola being swallowed up by various clocks, conveying she is powerless against time. The importance of time in the lives of Manni and Lola are further emphasised through the split screen.
How does this director, Tom Tykwer, attract the attention of the audience in the opening moments of the film, ‘Run Lola Run’? The film ‘Run Lola Run’ (1998) directed by Tom Tykwer attracts the attention of the audience in the opening scenes by the various film techniques used particularly the visual techniques and aspects used throughout the film, such as recurring motifs, colour , animation, camera shots and angles and editing. The recurring motifs are the recurring show the ticking clock and the importance of time used throughout the film. Throughout the film time is crucial, as the film is about Lola only having 20 minutes to find 100,000marks to save her boyfriend Manni’s life. In the opening scenes there is a swinging pendulum as names past by, the swinging pendulum allows us to hold our eyes to the pendulum which helps establish the importance of time.
Tykwer uses a split screen shot to emphasise times power; showing Manni standing alone, Lola sprinting in slow motion and a large clock rhythmically ticking, this is an effective way of characterising time and emphasising the power time holds of the lives of Manni and Lola. During the casino scene of Lola, Tykwer uses a close up
The importance of time is also represented through the close up shots of the pendulum and the grandfather clock in the opening scene. This sets the tone for the dramatic story ahead. Throughout the film, Lola needs time to slow down, but the background sound of the rapid ticking suggests that time doesn’t slow down. The overpowering nature of time is displayed through the use of split screen, where Lola and Manni are split under the clock which is overlooking their actions. The use of slow motion in the split screen emphasis’s the importance of time.
The narrative is split into three 20 minute sequences. With each sequence Lola learning something new which significantly has an effect on the final outcome. This shows that Lola is in a race-against-time to help save her boyfriend. Tykwer is trying to show that by correcting past mistakes can help the individual in accomplishing achievements. A characters personality or situation can be explored through significant visual elements.
It is clear that film as a text type gives an author specific ability to enhance their ideas and themes through a range of visual techniques, whether the film be set in 1998 depicting a fiery German woman on a desperate dash to save the life of her lover, or over 200 years later showing the human race ensnared in a digital prison. Tykwer has created a distinctively visual text in ‘Run Lola Run’ through the use of a non-linear narrative structure of the film, along with the film being played in ‘real-time’. So 20 minutes within the narrative is equal to 20 minutes viewing time. The traditional structure of film has been altered in order to communicate the role of chance in one’s life. This is evident in the three separate narratives, or runs, which convey the different outcomes that exist due to Lola’s actions in time and location.
Run Lola Run Run Lola Run incorporates several techniques in order to create a thrilling story as Lola runs against the clock to get 100,000 marks for her boyfriend, Manni, in just 20 minutes. This is an extremely quick paced movie, as emphasized by making jump cuts and fast motions. There are also extreme angles to show the desperation of the two main characters, Lola and Manni. The obvious motif through this story would be time, or more specifically clocks, since all of the scenes are all different by only a few initial actions that completely change the course of everyone’s fate. The rapid montages he uses for extra characters Lola comes across show their future via photograph, all with different twists that depend on her actions.
Heckerling’s film has transformed Emma into a dramatic twentieth century teen flick that both exemplifies and undercuts the contemporary culture of 1990s Los Angeles defined by consumption and appearance while still maintaining aspects of Emma’s narrative and characterisation. The juxtaposition of the two texts allows the audience to identify the tension between continuity and change through the use of the female protagonist who portrays the flaws of human nature. Jane Austen’s novel begins with, “Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever and rich.” This highlights the attributes that were most desired at the time of 19th century Highbury, England. However, Jane Austen’s context had a class hierarchy with males that had inherited wealth at the top. This patriarchal society represented in Emma portrays the importance of marriage for women as it was their only means of financial security as well as the advancement of their position in society.
The Basics The film does a superb job of quickly and clearly setting up a quite complicated world and concept – i.e. that 12 districts were once at war with the capitol city of Panem, and after losing, were forced into submission. As a reminder of the war and what they have all overcome “together,” the districts are forced to participate in a yearly lottery (called a Reaping) which selects a young boy and girl to participate in The Hunger Games, a battle of survival and strength in which only one of 24 will emerge alive. The film achieves this through several smart decisions, including some simple text at the opening, a created “film” about the history of Panem and the 13 Districts (now 12) that is shown at The Reaping, some dialogue between characters, and newly created scenes within Panem, such as two characters narrating the games like any sportscasters. It’s very well handled and easy to follow.